Oarsmen&#39;s apparatus.



J. H. CUNNINGHAM. OARSMEN'S APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.31,1909.

927,833. Patented July 13, 1909.

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J. H. CUNNINGHAM. OARSMEN'S APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.31,1909. 927,333, Patented July 13,1909.

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JOHN HARTE CUNNINGHAM, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

OARSMENS APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 31, 1909.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Serial No. 487,071.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OIIN HARTE CUNNING- IIAM, of Syracuse, in the county 01' Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oarsmens Apparatus, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in oarsmens apparatus of the watertank type, adapted to be installed as part of the physical training equipment of colleges, athletic clubs and allied associations for the more convenient and perfect development and training of individuals and crews in the science of rowing.

My main object is to render the effect of rowing in the training tank substantially the same as that in the open water by providing such tank with central lengthwise water compartments in which the boat or shell is actually floated, and with opposite lengthwise sweep ways or oar compartments through which water is circulated or impelled in one direction from end to end, thereby giving the same e'll'ect as if the boat was actually moving in open water.

Another object is to provide means at the end of each sweep-way toward which the body of water is moving for diverting and returning substantially equal quantities of such water to the opposite end of said sweepway so as to avoid eddying and countercurrents such as would occur if the entire body of water passing through the sweepway were returned through a single iluine.

A further object is to provide means for registering the stroke or propelling power of the oarsmen, whereby comparative and competitive tests may be made by the seam or different oarsmen or crews.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the apparatus will be brought out in the following description:

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a top plan partly in section of my improved rowing tank showing the shell or boat in operative position. Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views taken respectively 011 lines 22 and 3 3, Fig. 1, Fig. 3 being somewhat enlarged. Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan 01' the stern of the boat showing the anchorages and the cylinder of the registering device. Fig. 5 is a side elevation. partly in section of the registering device shown as operativcly connected to the stern of the boat.

In carrying out the objects stated I provide a tank 1 of concrete or other suitable material, having a central lengthwise boat compartment 2- and opposite parallel ear or sweep compartments 3, each sweep compartment 3- comnninicating at its ends with opposite return llulnes l-- and -l-, the outer channels or iiuincs l being separated from the sweep-way 3 throughout the greater portion of its length by a hollow partition 5 having rounding ends 6-, while the inner channels l are similarly separated throughout the greater portion. of their lengths from the corresponding sweep ways 3- by partitions 7.

The opposite extremities of each sweepway 3 are divided by apcxes 8* and 8 preferably forming a part of the con crete structure, the portions of the sweep ways -3 at the outer ends of the apexes communicating with the outer channels l through outwardly arched or curved passage-ways -9 and --9', which in this instance are concentric with the rounded. ends) 6 of the hollow partitions t'--.

The opposite ends of the sweep-pays 3- at the inner sides of the apexes S and -S' connnunicate through outwardly curved or arched passages 11 and 11 with the corresponding ends of the inner channels -2l-, the cross-sectional areas of the ends of the sweep-ways at opposite sides 01 the apexes being substantially equal to each other and to the con'ibined cross-sectional areas of the return channels l and so that practically the same quantity of water passes through each of the return channels from one end of the sweep-way to the other.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the bottoms, as 3 of the sweep-paws are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the upper edges of the partitions 7- to the lower edges of the corresponding hollow partitions 5, thereby forming water-ways which are substantially triangular in eross-section with their greatest depth at their extreme outer sides where the dip of the oars is necessarily greatest.

By inclining the bottoms of the sweep 5 ways 3 in the manner described, I am enabled to obtain a maximum effective dip for the oars with a minimum quantity of water, and by the use of this small quantity of water, I am also enabled to circulate it through the sweep-ways and return flumes under the desired uniform speed with a comparatively small power, thereby producing an effective circulation which may be economically maintained for long periods of time.

In view of the triangular cross-sectional form of each sweep-way, the water-dividing apexes 8- and 8 are necessarily lo cated nearer to the partitions -5 than to the partitions 7 so as to divide the crosssectional area of each end of the sweep-way equally, the return passages 9 and 9 and lengthwise channels -4c and 4 being of substantially the same cross-sectional area as that of either side of the dividing apexes 8 and 8 of the sweep way, The apexes -8- at the end of the sweep-ways toward which the water is mov- ,ing, therefore, serve to divide the volume of water passing through such sweep-ways equally, one half of the water returning through the channel -1- and the other half through the channel 4-, the return curved ends of the water channels 4- and -4 serving to bring the water from both race-ways or channels together again into the main sweep-way without producing excessive agitation, eddying or countercurrents. In like manner the equal speed or d i- 10 vision of the water by the apexes 8 at the ends of the sweep toward which the water is flowing, serves to prevent excessive friction or agitation of the water, thereby avoiding eddying or countercurrents which would result from attempting to return the entire body of water from each sweep-way through a single flume or return passage.

The dividing partitions or apexes S taken in connection with the duplicate return passages or flumes -4 and -4 of each sweep-way, constitute one of the main features of my invention owing to the fact that by the use of these elements I am enabled to obtain a direct-flowing straight-away water course for the oars substantially the same in effect as in open water.

The means for circulating the water through the sweep-ways and return channels preferably comprises rotarypropellers l2 and 13-, which, in this instance, are lopellers being preferably operated by separate electric motors '14:' indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 1. and 2, the propeller shafts being, in this instance, direct-connected to their respective motors.

When two propellers -l2- and 13, one at each end of the sweep-way, are employed, the one at the return end of the sweep-way propels the water forwardly toward the opposite end, while the propeller 13 at the end toward which the water is flowing, operates to draw the water in the same direction, although in some instances a single propeller at the return end of the sweep-way is sufficient. It is preferable, however, to provide some means for propelling the water through the return channels 4l and -4-, and for this purpose each channel 4 and 4 is equipped with a lengthwise shaft 15 having thereon a series of, in this instance, three propellers -l6, each shaft extending practically the whole length of the channel and is driven by a separate electric motor 18 direct-connected thereto in order to transmit a maximum power to the propellers.

The ends of the inner high sides of the sweep-ways 3 are preferably inclined downwardly to the plane of the bottom of the channels 4- which are at the same level as the channels 4, such incline being comparatively short but of a gentle grade to permit the easy passage of the water to and from the ends of the sweep-way.

The motors for operating the propeller shafts are inclosed in suitable housings or pits 19 at one or both ends and separate from the main water tank, where they are kept dry or free from moisture from the tanks, the propeller shafts extending through suitable glands or stuffing boxes 20- in the ends of the tank or in the partition walls between the tank and housings l9 so as to prevent any back-flow of water into the motor pits.

The boatway or channel 2 is entirely separate from the other waterways of the tank, but is filled with water to the same level as that in the sweep-ways and return channels for receiving and floating a boat or shell 2 1, the float channel being of sufficient dimensions, as compared with those of the boat or shell, to permit the latter to float freely without friction with the sides or ends of the waterways, and at the same time is sufliciently long to allow a limited lengthwise movement of the boat. It is now apparent that while the water in the float chamber or channel -2 is still, as compared with the moving water in the sweep-ways and return channels, the boat is nevertheless susceptible to practically all the movements to which it may be subjected in the open water, and, therefore, the oarsman in training practice experiences the same sensations and must exert the same caution as he would in any natural water-course, thereby obtaining an indoor training which is fully as effective as any that might be obtained in natural streams or larger water-courses.

The means for limiting the endwise movement of the boat or shell 21 consists, in this instance, of one or more rods 22 located at each end of the boat and having their outer ends suitably anchored to the end walls of the chamber 2 and their inner ends yieldingly connected to the boat by springs --23 which normally hold the boat in one position when at rest but allow such boat or shell to move a sufficient distance endwise to operate the indicating or registering device presently described. This registering device is preferably of the hydraulic type consisting of a cylinder 25 containing a piston body 26 of oil or colored fluid and a piston 27, said piston having a piston rod 28 extending through a suitable gland 29- in one end of the cylinder and connected by a link 30- to the stern of the boat, as best seen in Figs. l and 5. The cylinder 25 is preferably mounted upon the rear end of the tank at the rear 01' stern and lengthwise of the boat or shell 21, the front end of the cylinder 25- being connected by a pipe 31 to an upright transparent tube 32 which is mounted upon an indicator plate 33 having vertical graduations printed thereon along the tube 32, said pipe -3l being provided with a check valve 34 to prevent back-flow of the fluid from the upright indicator tube -32- into the cylinder, although such check valve is provided with a hand piece by which it may be opened to allow such back-flow when desired.

An external fluid circulating pi )e 35 is connected to both ends of the cylinder, the intermediate portion of said pipe -35- being extended upwardly along the graduated plate 33 at opposite sides of the indicator tube 3Z for the purpose of allowing the fluid at both ends of the piston to follow the movements of such piston, the upper portion of the pipe -35- being provided with a check valve -36- to prevent back-flow of the liquid from the rear end of the cylinder, although this check valve may also be opened by hand when necessary to permit such back-flow.

The entire indicating apparatus, as previously stated, is located at the end of the tank facing the oarsmen, the graduations and other parts of the indicator being of large size so that the stroke may readily ascertain from a glance at the indicator the pulling strength of the oarsmen or speed of the boat, the check valve -34lserving to retain the indicating fluid at the level in the indicator tube 32 to which it has been elevated by the action of the piston 27 during the forward movement of the boat connected thereto. By this arrangement of indicator I am enabled. to readily indicate the results of comparative or competitive tests of the same or different crews, which enables the coach to readily select andv train the crew showing the greatest degree of ellicieney.

hat I claim is I" 1. In an oarsmens training apparatus, a water tank having parallel but separate sweep-ways for the ears and water and provided with separate pairs of return water channels, those of each pair being located at opposite sides of its corresponding sweep-way and communicating at their ends with the ends of the sweep-way, and means for propelling the water from one end of the sweepway toward the opposite end and through the return channels.

2. In an oarsmens training apparatus, a water tank having parallel but separate sweep-ways for the cars and water and pro vided with separate pairs of return water channels, those of each pair being located at opposite sides of its corresponding sweepway and communicating at their ends with the ends of the sweep-way, and means for propelling the water from one end of the sweep-way toward the opposite end and through the return channels, the end of each sweep-way toward which the water is propelled being provided with partitions having diverging sides for dividing the water and diverting substantially equal portions thereof through the return channels.

3. In an oarsmen's training apparatus, a water tank having opposite parallel sweepways for the ears and at least two return channels for each sweep-way located at opposite sides thereof, said tank being also provided with a water channel between but separate from the sweep-ways, and a heating row boat in said channel.

4. In an oarsmens training apparatus, a water containing tank having a central lengthwise boat compartment, and separate sweep-ways for the ears at opposite sides of the boat compartment, each sweepway hav ing return channels at opposite sides thereof and parallel therewith.

5. An oarsmens training apparatus comprising a water contail'iing tank having a central lengthwise waterway for the boat and sweep-ways for the ears located at opposite sides of the boatway, said tank being also provided with separate return channels for each sweep-way located at opposite sides thereof and communicating therewith at the ends, means for moving the water through the sweep-ways and return channels, and means at the end of each sweep-way toward which the water is moving for dividing such I actuated by the boat for indicating the power Water and diverting portions thereof through or speed with which the boat is propelled. 10 the return channels. In witness whereof I hereunto set my 6. An oarsnlens training apparatus con1- l hand this 22nd day of March 1909. prising a water containing tank having a JOHN HARTE CUNNINGHAM. central boat chamber and opposite sweep Witnesses: ways for the oars, a boat in said chamber, H. E. CHAsE, and an indicating device connected to and 1 J. M. Hons. 

